Bob Hanna - The Passing of a Lacrosse Legend

 

On September 29 at age 92, lacrosse legend Bob Hanna passed away. Bob accomplished so much in lacrosse and touched the lives of hundreds of players, parents and lacrosse administrators. With the exception of winning a Mann Cup (he played in three), there was no feat in lacrosse, Bob Hanna had not been successful at.

Think Lacrosse has previously article on Mr. Hanna and provides the content below.

Suffice to say Bob was an exceptionally intelligent and gifted lacrosse person. He was intense, yet always composed when coaching and more than willing to share his knowledge of the game and the many individuals he knew. He possessed a dry sense of humour and his commitment to lacrosse over decades is unparalleled. Please read below to learn about the Life in Lacrosse of Bob Hanna.

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Part 1 -  A Life in Lacrosse - Bob Hanna The Player 

Bob Hanna – The Player 

Bob Hanna

Detroit Olympics – 1968

National Lacrosse Association

Robert Elgin Hanna was born in 1934 in Fergus, Ontario. Bob will tell you – “Fergus, is where I learned the game playing all of my minor lacrosse there”. His life in lacrosse began at age 6 and proceeded over the next 75 years or so. He had two careers in lacrosse; one as a player and the second as a coach. Here, in Part 1, we learn about the career of Bob Hanna as a player.

In the 1949 season, although statistics are limited, Bob played a handful of games at the Intermediate level in Newmarket. Over the course of 15 additional seasons, he played with Mimico, Scarborough, Long Branch, Port Credit and Brooklin. In addition, Bob played with Detroit (1968) in the National Lacrosse Association and he signed with Kitchener (1969) in the Eastern Canada Professional Lacrosse Association, but an injured knee resulted in Bob missing most of the season. With these various teams - Bob Hanna played a career total of 228 games, scoring 210 goals, along with 168 assists for a total of 378 points, while accumulating 885 penalty minutes.

Brooklin Senior Lacrosse Club

Eastern Canadian Champions 1964

Back row: H. Benson, Cliff Gordon, Art Bradley, Bob Vesey, William Vipond, Luther Vipond, Charlie Richardson, Red McClelland, Walt Hains, Jerry Gray, Art Morton.

Centre row: Mike Gray, Doug Vipond, Ken Crawford, Grant Hefferman, Ken Ruttan, Bob Hanna (#3), T. Cullen, Donny Bruce, Jerry Burroughs, Don Vipond, R. Madgett, R. Allen.

Front row: Peter Vipond, Elmer Tran, P. Henderson, C. Ludlow, Glen Lotton, Pat Baker, L. Campbell, Ken Lotton, Don Craggs.

Likely known best for playing with Brooklin – initially the “Hillcrests” in 1964, changing to the “Merchants” in 1965 and changing to the “Redmen” in 1966. During his four seasons with Brooklin, Bob Hanna played 143 regular and playoff games scoring 106 goals, 106 assists for a total of 212 points. Brooklin played in three Mann Cups (1964, 1965, 1967) with Hanna being a Mann Cup finalist for three of four consecutive years. Unfortunately, Brooklin failed to win the Mann Cup in any of those series. Bob was known as a physical player and this is reflected as he racked up 454 penalty minutes which has him placed tenth in the all-time top penalty minutes for Brooklin players. Of note, in 1967 - Bob was winner of the Merv McKenzie Trophy as the Best Defensive Player in Senior “A” lacrosse.

Bob Hanna was inducted in the Builder category into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Player category in 1997 and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Builder category in 1997. In addition, he was awarded the Mr. Lacrosse (Thomas “Tip” Teather Award) in 2011 for outstanding service to the sport of lacrosse. Furthermore, Bob Hanna was honoured by the Ontario Lacrosse Association being designated a Life Member in 2013.

 

The following question and answer interview session pertains to the career of Bob Hanna – the Player.

1. What does lacrosse mean to you? 

It means dedication, fun and hard work at times. It’s been a large part of my life since I was 6 years old when I got my first lacrosse stick, costing $5. Lacrosse seems to get into your blood and never leaves. Just a great sport!

2. What was the number one factor that motivated you in lacrosse? 

The magic some players could do with a stick and ball made the game very exciting and fun.

3. Which person taught you the most in regard to lacrosse? 

Easy, Jim Bishop (although we did occasionally disagree)

4. How would you describe or assess Bob Hanna the lacrosse player?What were his strengths? What were his weaknesses? 

Some of my best strengths where I was a team player, dedicated to winning and hated to lose. I was a big guy. My main weakness was that I was not a fast runner, but I was not the slowest.

5. How do you think your teammates would describe Bob Hanna as a player? 

Easy to get along with. Expects everyone to do their best. He was a leader and hard-working player.

6. How do you think opposition players would describe Bob Hanna as a player? 

With a sly smile, Bob responded - Strangely many did not like me. I didn’t understand that, maybe because of my size and I was intimidating (accompanied by a huge laugh).

7. As a player, who is the most skilled team(s) you played with? 

Original Green Gael Junior “A”, Port Credit Sailors Senior “A” and Brooklin Senior “A” Redmen.

8. Who is the best player(s) you ever played with? 

Several including Dave “Porky” Russell, Bobby Allan (Mann Cup pickup), Ken Crawford (great draw man, very good all over the floor) and Glen Lotton.

9. Who is the teammate player(s) you respected the most? 

Most players I played with; each one had their own special talents. But in particular, Pat Baker (great goalie) and Gaylord Powless (excellent overall player).

10. The one player you would definitely want on your team? 

Bobby Allan

11. Who is the most skilled team(s) you played against? 

Peterborough Senior “A” and New Westminster Senior “A”.

12. Who is the best player(s) you ever played against? 

Gaylord Powless, Jack Bionda, Bobby Allan and Johnny Davis

13. Who is the opposition player(s) you respected the most? 

Jack Bionda (magician with a stick), Bobby Allan (good all over the floor)

14. The one player you hated playing against? 

Gordie Thompson with Brampton. We usually had a scrap or two every time we played.

15. The toughest series – win or lose – you ever experienced? 

The first time I played in the Mann Cup (1964). On home floor, up 3 to 1, we lost the series to Vancouver.

16. Name Bob Hanna’s personal All-Star team (as a player) 

Pat Baker (goalie), Lou Nichol, Jack Bionda, Bobby Allan, Johnny Davis and Gaylord Powless.

17.  Final Question - Any regrets over the years as a player?

Yes, not winning a Mann Cup championship. I played in three.

BOB HANNA – Career Player Statistics

BORN: APRIL 18, 1934                                    RETIRED

-------

REGULAR SEASON                        PLAYOFFS

--------------                        --------

YEAR     TEAM     LEAGUE     GP  GO  ASS  PTS  PIM  -  GP GO ASS PTS PIM

---- ------------ ------     --  --  ---  ---  ---  -  -- -- --- --- ---

1949 NEWMARKET    INTER      XX   4    0    4   XX  -  STATS UNAVAILABLE

1953 MIMICO       SENIOR A    3   4    2    6    0  -     DID NOT PLAY

1955 SCARBOROUGH  INTER      STATS UNAVAILABLE      -   6  9   2  11  12

1957 MIMICO       SENIOR B   STATS UNAVAILABLE      -  XX 16   5  21  XX

1958 MIMICO       SENIOR A    8  16    5   21   15  -     DID NO PLAY

1959 LONG BRANCH  SENIOR A   14   9    0    9   72  -   5  1   0   1  11

1960 NEWMARKET    SENIOR B   XX   5    5   10   XX  -  XX  6   7  13  XX

1961 PORT CREDIT  SENIOR A   17  18    5   23   34  -  13  7   1   8  29

1962 PORT CREDIT  SENIOR A   20  15   14   29   81  -   6  0   2   2  28

1963 PORT CREDIT  SENIOR A   20  18    7   25   66  -  10  4   2   6  38

1964 BROOKLIN     SENIOR A   20  17   15   32   55  -  20  8   4  12  66

1965 BROOKLIN     SENIOR A   20  23   21   44   66  -  18  8   9  17  20

1966 BROOKLIN     SENIOR A   20  18   22   40   53  -   7  4   1   5  10

1967 BROOKLIN     SENIOR A   20  17   26   43   56  -  18 11   8  19  65

1968 DETROIT      NLA PRO    26  11   22   33  118  -     DID NOT PLAY

1969 KITCHENER    EPLA PRO    3   2    2    4    2  -     DID NOT PLAY

---- ------------ ---------- -- ---  ---  ---  ---  -  -- -- --- --- ---

PRO/MAJOR/SENIOR TOTALS   191 167  141  308  618  -  97 43  27  70 267

SENIOR B/INTERM  TOTALS     0   9    5   14    0  -  6  31  14  45  12

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Part II - A Life in Lacrosse Bob Hanna The Coach

Bob Hanna – Coach

Bob Hanna has coached and managed at every level of minor, junior, senior and professional lacrosse. Along the way, Bob also served as executive and president of the Scarborough Minor Lacrosse Association for 10 years. In addition, he was the Technical Director for the Ontario Lacrosse Association for eight years (October 1990–December 1997).

Bob first began coaching as a player/coach with the Newmarket Green Gaels Intermediate “A” team in 1960. Bob had joined the team as a player and found out quickly at the first practice, he was also going to be coaching the team. Active as a player until 1969, at the request of his good friend and mentor Jim Bishop, Bob Hanna began coaching the Oshawa Green Gaels. The Gaels had just completed their seven-year run of Minto Cup championships under Jim Bishop. Bob inherited a team with very few of the Minto Cup players still on the roster. He coached the team for 1970, 1971 and 1972. During the 1972 season, Bob felt he just wasn’t getting enough mileage out of the players, so he stepped aside. Hearing Bob Hanna was not coaching, Wayne Copeland asked Bob to help with the Toronto Shooting Stars of the National Lacrosse League which led to Bob eventually head coaching the team. By 1974, Hanna was serving in the role of Assistant Coach with a new NLL franchise – the Toronto Tomahawks.

Fast forward to 1976 and Bob Hanna is serving as a mentor to coaches in the Scarborough Minor Lacrosse Association. Grant Heffernan and Red Crawford were coaching the Junior “B” team where Bob served in an advisory capacity. In 1977, the Saints went onto win the Founders Cup at the Canada Games held in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

In 1979, Bob returned to coach with the Junior “A” Gaels where he stayed for two seasons (1979, 1980).  By 1981, Bob had returned to coach the Scarborough Midget team who went on to win the Canadian Midget “B” championship held in Montreal. Continuing to step up to help where most needed, Bob Hanna coached the Junior “B” Saints for the 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985 seasons. Scarborough won the Founders Cup in 1985 where the team went 23-0-1 during the regular season and 14-0 during the playoffs. 

In 1986, Bob Hanna was recruited to coach the Etobicoke Eclipse team of the OLA Junior “A” league where they placed 4th with a 9-10-1 record. The season previous to Hanna coaching, Etobicoke had placed dead last in the league with a 1-23-0 record.

Upon completion of the 1986 season, Bob Hanna took a sabbatical from lacrosse to spend time travelling with his family including a trip to China. By 1990, he was back behind the bench having agreed to coach the Whitby Warriors. However, given he was the Technical Director for the Ontario Lacrosse Association, Bob could not coach as he would be in a conflict-of-interest situation.

After eight years as the OLA Technical Director, Hanna did return to the club level and took on the role of General Manager with the Whitby Warriors. This reunited Bob with his friend Jim Bishop who was coaching the Warriors. Sadly, Jim Bishop died in a car accident in 1998. This left Bob Hanna to take on coaching along with his General Manager duties. Bob dedicated the season in memory of his friend Jim Bishop. The Warriors went onto win the Minto Cup in the 1999 season. Bob Hanna served the Whitby organization for 14 years. He won two Minto Cups (1999 as a Coach and 2011 as General Manager). Bob Hanna retired from Whitby in 2013 ending his prolific career as a coach and general manager.

At the end of his coaching career, Bob Hanna ranked 3rd overall for the number of games coached in OLA Junior “”A” lacrosse.  He had a record of 321 games coached; 202 wins; 117 losses; and 2 ties for a winning percentage of .632. Just ahead of Bob Hanna is coach Jim Bishop having coached 564 games and a winning percentage of .767.

Bob Hanna was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Player category 1997 and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1997 in the Builder category. In addition, he was awarded the Mr. Lacrosse Award (Thomas “Tip” Teather Award) in 2011 for outstanding service to the sport of lacrosse. Furthermore, Bob was honoured by the Ontario Lacrosse Association being designated a Life Member in 2013. An accomplished player, immensely successful coach, outstanding builder and mentor to many – Bob Hanna is truly a lacrosse legend.

 

The following interview regarding his coaching career was held with Bob Hanna in October of 2023

Coaching Questions:

 

1. How did you get started in coaching in lacrosse? 

My son was playing minor lacrosse and in my opinion the coaching was terrible. I felt I could do better. That was in 1980.

2. How soon in your coaching career, did you realize, I can be a goodcoach? 

Coaching Scarborough Midgets, won some tournaments, won the Midget “B” Canadian Championship in Montreal in 1981.

3. Who is the best team(s) you ever coached? 

There are two teams:

Scarborough Saints Junior “B” - 1985 Founders Cup Champions (37-0-1 including 14-0 in the playoffs).

We had five - 50 goal scorers on the team (Paul St. John, Mike O’Toole, Rob Hanna, Ed Robeznicks, Mark Harding);

Whitby Warriors 1999 Minto Cup Champions defeating Burnaby Laker 4-1.

The team was 35 wins and 3 losses; 1 loss in the regular season, one loss in the playoffs, one loss in the Minto Cup.

Roster included Gavin Prout, Marty O’Brien, A.J. Shannon, Steve Voituk and goaltender Gee Nash – the best passing goalie I ever coached.

 

 

(Photo from Instagram.com)

4. Who is the best player(s) you ever coached? 

There are a few: Gavin Prout (being inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame this year), Derek Keenan, Kelly Mitchell, and goalie Gee Nash

5. Who is the toughest player(s) you ever coached? 

Scott McMichael (everyone including me, was afraid of Scotty)

6.The one player(s) you would definitely want on your team? 

Gavin Prout, Jack Bionda, Bobby Allan, Gaylord Powless and Glen Lotton

7. Name Bob Hanna’s personal All-Star team (players you coached) 

Gee Nash (G), Gavin Prout, Mike McKee, Curtis Knight, Derek Keenan, Kelly Mitchell

8. Who is the best coach(es) you ever coached against and the opposition coach you respect the most? 

Mark Vitarelli from Peterborough. He always had his teams well prepared and ready to compete.

9. What is it that made you the great coach you are? 

Dedication. Trying to motivate each player to do his best. (A) goal scorers to score; (B) other guys loose balls, passing and good defence; (C) getting players not to be selfish. The objective is to win, not how many goals you scored or points you get.

10. Any regrets over the years as a coach?

Sometimes I may have been too hard on the team and what I had to say to them as we where losing, but over-all I tried to be fair and open with all the players. Always tried to have some fun.

Let’s end the interview with two questions about box lacrosse at the highest levels of competition

 1. Talk about Major Series Lacrosse vs. Junior A” Lacrosse 

I have not seen many major lacrosse games even in the recent past, but I would say that major players are more mature than Junior “A” players so they don’t make some of the mistakes the Junior “A” players make. Major lacrosse is not as fast as Junior “A”, but both are interesting and fun to watch.

 2. Your thoughts on Major Series Lacrosse vs. the National Lacrosse League? 

These days, they tend to play similar style games (I think). A lot of outside shots and not many players cutting through the middle. There are a number of excellent players in both leagues. Some of the USA players have picked up the box game very well.